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HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- Second-year quarterback Kellen Clemens will replace an injured Chad Pennington and make his first NFL start against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, according to three people familiar with the severity of Pennington's right ankle injury and the Jets' plans.
Those people spoke on the condition of anonymity because all official injury information must come from the team.
The injury is the latest in a star-crossed career for Pennington, who played all 16 regular-season games last season for the first time in his career. He suffered a severe sprain or bruise of the right ankle last Sunday against the Patriots. There was no fracture and he could be ready to play next week against the Dolphins.
"Yeah, Chad's not going to play," one person said yesterday. "It's Kellen."
Pennington, walking with a slight limp, was echoing the company line under strict orders from coach Eric Mangini before practice during his weekly news conference. He said he has been living in the training room since Monday morning -- leaving only to go home and sleep -- and is hoping to play against the Ravens.
"It's just a day-to-day process and I'm working extremely hard around the clock to do everything I can to prepare myself to play," Pennington said. "I'm just taking it day by day and seeing how much progress I make each day."
Pennington, in his eighth season, was injured when he was sacked by defensive end Jarvis Green during the third quarter of the Jets' 38-14 loss to the Patriots. His foot was caught in the turf and his ankle rolled as Green twisted him to the ground. After hopping off the field on his left leg, Pennington returned for a series with a pronounced limp and led the Jets to a touchdown before taking himself out of the game with the Jets behind.
Pennington out, Clemens in
Pennington out, Clemens in
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